[fishfan01]

(Original post by linzico)
I'm in my third year of a psychology degree and we have had to do MANY literature reviews where we have to analyse dozens of journals, bring together what they found, their advs/disadvs in regard to their research and propse ideas for future research so this part of your argument against psychology doesn't really stand here I'm afraid. Granted a lot of what has been covered so far is very scientific but many of the modules cover behaviour which is applicable to the outside world, especially for managerial positions and hr.

Oh, I understand that this has to be the case at University - it's what you're supposed to do for pretty much any degree, essentially. However, at A level it's very different, I'm sure, as it is for every subject. You go to study it at unviersity to step it up a gear.

I'm still not sure exactly what you DO do at A level, but I'm pretty sure that you don't analyse journals and other peoples research etc. in the same way you might do for history, therefore it might better prepare you in terms of skills to study history than psychology at A level. However, I do not know, it's merely a speculation.

[flume]

People who are calling Psychology easy: I'd like to see you sit the exams. PSYA3 requires you to know about 27 essays worth of information...not only do you have to understand and learn that information (some of the Biological Psych is quite hard to get your head around), you have to know how to analyse it all, and they're pretty strict on how you go about it.
I don't know why it isn't considered traditional - probably because it hasn't been around for as long (which makes no sense). In general though, when universities talk about "traditional" subjects, they mean ones that aren't subjects like Law, IT, Business Studies, DT etc.
I had the same worry as you last year. I did Psychology, Sociology, German, and History, convinced I was going to drop Sociology so I'd have two "traditional" subjects, but ended up dropping History.. and have an offer from UCL, so it must be valued by some!

[Miracle Day]

(Original post by fishfan01)
Oh, I understand that this has to be the case at University - it's what you're supposed to do for pretty much any degree, essentially. However, at A level it's very different, I'm sure, as it is for every subject. You go to study it at unviersity to step it up a gear.

I'm still not sure exactly what you DO do at A level, but I'm pretty sure that you don't analyse journals and other peoples research etc. in the same way you might do for history, therefore it might better prepare you in terms of skills to study history than psychology at A level. However, I do not know, it's merely a speculation.

Funnily, that's exactly what we do :O

(Original post by flume)
People who are calling Psychology easy: I'd like to see you sit the exams. PSYA3 requires you to know about 27 essays worth of information...not only do you have to understand and learn that information (some of the Biological Psych is quite hard to get your head around), you have to know how to analyse it all, and they're pretty strict on how you go about it.
I don't know why it isn't considered traditional - probably because it hasn't been around for as long (which makes no sense). In general though, when universities talk about "traditional" subjects, they mean ones that aren't subjects like Law, IT, Business Studies, DT etc.
I had the same worry as you last year. I did Psychology, Sociology, German, and History, convinced I was going to drop Sociology so I'd have two "traditional" subjects, but ended up dropping History.. and have an offer from UCL, so it must be valued by some!

Ohhh.. thanks man!

[electric-wars]

(Original post by Lollyage)
Psychology is my worst A Level. I find it more challenging than maths (despite being an essay writing person) the sheer amount of crap you have to learn is ridiculous, the exam technique is difficult to grasp fully.. It's just a nightmare. And I'm sure anyone who does OCR A2 psychology will agree. In fact, it should really be called A Level Research Methods and be classed as one of the hardest A Levels you can do.

Sorry, full day of revision and hence late night ranting But seriously, anyone who comes up to me and tells me psychology is easy will be rendered infertile

I completely agree with you, the research methods are absolute hell and they seem to think that it is perfectly acceptable to switch up the correct essay technique for every unit.

My other three A2 subjects are all in Cambridge's 'A' category, yet Psychology is by far my hardest subject. I understand that this is all subjective, yet it seems that deeming a subject less respectable simply because it isn't traditional marks an inability to move with the times.

[Llewellyn]

I think the fact that you need to consider most is that these lists are decided by people who don't do A levels. Some subjects may be in the wrong places, but that's just tough, nothing can be done about it short-term. But you just have to play the system, and give yourself the best odds of getting into university (or you will be at a disadvantage to people who do).

I think another reason is probably a case of perceived facilitation. English Literature is perceived by universities to be great preparation for most humanity and arts courses, whilst psychology is perceived by universities to only really be useful for a psychology course. Hence, they are in different lists. Whether or not that assumption is true is debatable, but again, you have to accept that fact and try to use it to your advantage.



I don't really think difficulty and work load really factor in (unless the people who are making these lists really do have NO idea at all). Of every A level, Art is probably the subject with the biggest work load, but art isn't A listed. I think a lot of people would say that Geography isn't very difficult, or hard to understand, but it is A listed. The actual work load for maths (especially at AS) is very small, yet Maths is A listed.

[Jackkkkk]

I just wanted to put my view across from someone that is hoping to study Experimental Psychology (Bristol) in 2012.

For all those questioning the Scientific nature of Psychology I would agree that it is questionable as to whether or not it should be classified as a Science. However it DOES follow a scientific method, with testable hypothesis's at the basis of all experimentation in psychology. The reason Psychology it'self has had opposition when being called a science subject is because the results of each experiment cannot be replicated, and if one IV is manipulated this variable may not even exist in another person taking part in a 'replicated' study. But I do believe this makes Psychology the most exciting subject there is - it attempts to prove, to the best scientific ability possible, what causes people to behave how they do.

Psychobiology and Cognitive Neuroscience would at face value seem scientific, but once again the scientific method is at the core of the 'science behind these area's of study due to the fact that each person is different. So quite obviously the same results will not be found, but similarities....This does not mean Psychology is any less regarded than any other subject just because a definitive answer is not always given.

As for Cambridge placing it into the 'B' list, the listings are NOT anything to do with how difficult the subjects are (apparently), but they focus more on how well the subjects apply to the traditional nature of the courses at Cambridge. However I am pretty sure Psychology can be applied well to a lot of subjects and of course if you are applying for PBS (Psychological and Behavioural Science), However if you are applying for Maths or Physics then It's appropriateness is reduced. As long as you can link the subject to your degree course at Cambridge - Psychology is a respectable A level to have.

[Pawsies]

I think it's issue is that nothing is fact, mostly theories which we can't really test adequately (of course there are studies to support it but there is no concrete evidence).
Academics like proof that things are as they say they are, so the neurobiological approach to pyschology is preferred but can't explain much in terms of consciousness/thoughts etc which is where the other approaches come in.

[Id and Ego seek]

(Original post by Pawsies)
I think it's issue is that nothing is fact, mostly theories which we can't really test adequately (of course there are studies to support it but there is no concrete evidence).

Do you know what a fact in science is? A scientific fact is an objective and verifiable observation; psychology has those out of its nose. Have you ever studied psychology or are you basing these speculations on the likes of Freud, social psychology and old psychology?

Nothing in science can be proved anyway; psychology with its individual differences and anomalies is no different.

[Moiraclaire]

It may be hard, but it may be hard in the wrong ways for the courses Cambridge offers.

Btechs might require a lot of coursework - but their is no coursework, or very little, at Cambridge, so the fact that they're hard is irrelevant.

With psychology, how you learn to make logical arguments in it might not be judged as a particularly useful way to know how to think :/
GUESSING.

[justinawe]

(Original post by linzico)
I'm in my third year of a psychology degree and we have had to do MANY literature reviews where we have to analyse dozens of journals, bring together what they found, their advs/disadvs in regard to their research and propse ideas for future research so this part of your argument against psychology doesn't really stand here I'm afraid. Granted a lot of what has been covered so far is very scientific but many of the modules cover behaviour which is applicable to the outside world, especially for managerial positions and hr.

I believe he was referring to the Psychology A-Level rather than the university course, though.

[hhh123]

(Original post by bananaterracottapie)
psychology is a piss take, the science behind it is easier than gcse science, the statistics is about gcse standard and the rest is just common sense and the ability to write in the format the a level examiners want. with history and english lit you'll be fine though.
( i mean psychology at a level, im sure at university it's far more indepth and complicated)

Absolute rubbish.

[Pawsies]

(Original post by Id and Ego seek)
Do you know what a fact in science is? A scientific fact is an objective and verifiable observation; psychology has those out of its nose. Have you ever studied psychology or are you basing these speculations on the likes of Freud, social psychology and old psychology?

Nothing in science can be proved anyway; psychology with its individual differences and anomalies is no different.

Yes, I've studied it for AS Level and am doing a module on it in my degree.

I am studying mostly Freud's theories and social psychology so that's probably why it seems like it's not 'fact' as such.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is compared to maths/chemistry etc where there is a right or wrong answer to science psychology is a bit more broad and mostly theoretical from my perspective- it could be this but so and so actually said....

That's just what I've seen so far. I like your username btw

[bananaterracottapie]

(Original post by hhh123)
Absolute rubbish.

i studied it, and its just my opinion. i found it was just about getting the right exam technique, perhaps it was the way it was taught to me, but the course covered very little in depth. granted i haven't taken my a2s and i might look like a massive **** if i fail. although saying that i think the amount of material covered and thus work you have to do is probably more than other subjects.

[hhh123]

(Original post by bananaterracottapie)
i studied it, and its just my opinion. i found it was just about getting the right exam technique, perhaps it was the way it was taught to me, but the course covered very little in depth.

I see what you mean that there is very little 'in depth', but there is actually hell of a lot to learn. I am currently studying three different topics for one exam in June; and have never had to learn so much for an exam!

I actually find studying Maths is sometimes easier than Psychology..

Just my opinion though :-)

[fishfan01]

(Original post by Miracle Day)
Funnily, that's exactly what we do :O

Hmm. Well in that case, the only reason I can see is because it's not traditional. I'm afraid that's the sort of prejudice you face when applying to traditional unis. *shrug*

[Calllu-m]

(Original post by Miracle Day)
No, I have Sociology but can see why it's on a B list.

Ermmm.. easier said than done with English.

Instead of bitching about English Lit maybe you should be doing practice essays? Actually doing work? Also, you don't need English Lit for law at Cardiff. That said, you could take Sociology on to Year 13 and get a B and Cardiff would take you because with four A levels they make offers based on AABB